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The OSI model explained in simple
terms
3 years ago • 8 Comments • 6 min read
Contents [hide]
1 The seven layers of the OSI model
1.1 Layer 7 – Application
1.2 Layer 6 – Presentation
1.3 Layer 5 – Session
1.4 Layer 4 – Transport
1.5 Layer 3 – Network
1.6 Layer 2 – Data link
1.7 Layer 1 – Physical
2 Purpose of the OSI Model
2.1 Applied to other areas of ICT
The Open System Interconnection model (OSI) is a seven layer model used to
visualize computer networks. The OSI model is often viewed as complicated and
many fear having to learn the model. However, the OSI model is an extremely useful
tool for development and problem solving. Each of the seven layers goes up in
increments of one as it gets closer to the human user. Layer one – the application
layer, is closest to the person while layer seven – the physical layer is where the
network receives and transmits raw data. The OSI model belongs to the
International Organization for Standards (ISO) and is maintained by the
identification ISO/IEC 7498-1. In this post, each of the seven layers of the OSI model
will be explained in simple terms. The layers will be explained from layer seven to
layer one, as this is where the data flow starts.
The seven layers of the OSI
model
Layer 7 – Application
The application layer is where the user inputs data and data is output to the user.
The application layer is usually software that is run off the local machine, however
this depends on the network architecture. The software could be cloud based,
meaning it runs off a server in a remote location and data is transferred over the
internet, or the software could be run on a local server. The application layer
provides services for email, Telnet and file Transfer for example. An example of the
application layer is an internet browser, an FTP client or even Microsoft Word.
Layer 6 – Presentation
The presentation layer is where the operating system lies. This operating system
could be Windows, OS X, a Unix based operating system or one of the many others
available. Where the human user interacts with the application layer described
above, the application layer interacts with the presentation layer. This may be done
directly, or through a runtime environment such as the Java Runtime Environment
(JRE).
Layer 5 – Session
The session layer is responsible for creating and maintaining sessions between the
operating system on the presentation layer and other, third party machines. For
example, when a user is browsing the internet, they are interacting with the
application layer, the application layer is interacting with the presentation layer and
the session layer allows the operating system to interact with the web server.
Layer 4 – Transport
The transport layer is responsible for the logistics of the session. In the example
used above, the transport layer would be responsible for determining what and how
much information is transferred between the operating system and the web server.
Layer 3 – Network
The network layer is where routers operate. A router is a hardware device that
forwards packets of information between computers on a network. This is where
your IP address comes from and in the example used above, the router is
responsible for sending packets of information out into the internet and receiving
them. These packets origin and destination is determined by the IP address of your
router.
Layer 2 – Data link
The data link layer is where switches operate and provides a reliable link between
two directly connected nodes. The data link layer is also responsible for detecting
and possibly fixing any packet errors that may form on the physical layer. The data
link layer is divided into two separate layers, the Media Access Control (MAC) and
Logical Link Control (LLC) layers. The MAC layer is responsible for controlling how
devices connected to the network gain access. The LLC layer controls error
checking, possible fixes and packet synchronization.
Layer 1 – Physical
The physical layer is literally the physical hardware that makes up the network. This
layer has several major functions:
• Defining physical specifications
• Defining protocols
• Defining transmission mode (half duplex & full duplex)
• Defining the network’s topology
Hardware such as the physical components of Ethernet cables and Bluetooth are
just some examples of the physical layer.
Purpose of the OSI Model
Even after reading a description of each of the seven layers, you may still be
confused as to how the OSI model applies to real life networking. It’s commonly
misunderstood how a model can be used to solve real-life problems and in some
cases, a model may not be the best approach. However, in many aspects of
Information & Communications Technology(ICT), a model can be extremely useful
and that is the case for the OSI model.
When first discovering a networking problem, it can be confusing as to where you
should start. The OSI model helps you to start figuring out where the problem may
reside and therefore, help you to solve the problem. For example, a client’s
computer is not able to reach a website. The problem is isolated to one device on
the network, so it can be assumed that the problem is likely to be on the application
layer. However, after testing you find that the problem still exists when you try a
different web browser and so the application layer is ruled out. You then assume that
the problem resides on the presentation layer and start looking for faulty settings.
After some digging around you find that your client has entered some DNS settings
incorrectly and so you then conclude the problem is on the presentation layer.
You may already be using the OSI model for simple problem solving such as the
example above without even realizing it. However, when dealing with large,
corporate scale networking a purposeful use of the OSI model can make your job
much easier and more enjoyable.
Applied to other areas of ICT
The OSI model is most commonly thought of as a model that explains networking
layers. However, many other fields of ICT use the model, or similar models. In web
development, the model may be referred to as a ‘stack’. When a developer uses the
term stack, they are referring to the operating system that the application is running
on, the database software and the back-end software or programming language. A
common use of the word stack is the LAMP stack. This ‘stack’ can be used in the
same way as the OSI model to narrow down problems to their possible causes.
Further reading
If you’re studying to become a network engineer, or just interested in high-level
concepts, the OSI model is an excellent model to learn. No matter what sub-field of
IT you land in, you will always be able to refer back to it, helping you solve even the
most complex problems. To gain a deeper understanding of the model and how you
can apply it to everyday IT troubleshooting, here are some suggested books.
The OSI Model: simply explained by Ronald Schlager
This publication is available in both paperback
and Kindle versions. The book explains the
seven layers of the OSI model and how to use
each layer, all in a simple and easy to
understand way.
The author, Ronald Schlager, has been in the
communications technology field since the 1980s
and is the owner of schlager communications
services GmbH.
The book is just 26 pages and will explain
everything you need to know about the OSI model in a way that you will understand.
8 Comments TechCress
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Name
pial • 6 months ago
WOW
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pial • 6 months ago
WOW explanation...
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Shawn Alexander • 7 months ago
Thank you for the simplification.
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Dream Line • a year ago
Good info but I will have to point out that the introduction confuses Layers 1 and 7. It says
that Layer 1 the application layer is closer to human interaction and Layer the physical
layer is on layer 7.
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BlueberryTechBoy • a year ago
This is a great article. Really appreciate how you simplified it.
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